Trial of Robert Karl Huber: Expert tells court Lindy Lucena’s facial injuries indicate ‘hard punches’ before death

A murder trial has heard that Ballina mother Lindy Lucena had suffered a range of injuries, including some that were a “substantial contribution” to her death.

Robert Karl Huber has pleaded not guilty to murdering his lover, Lindy Lucena.

Evidence in the murder trial of Robert Karl Huber has revealed extensive trauma, particularly to Lindy Lucena’s face and neck, was a “substantial contribution” to her death.

Forensic pathologist Dr Allan Cala’s finding stands regardless of other potential contributing factors or mechanisms, the court heard.

Huber, now 64, is accused of murdering his lover in January 2023.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter but pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard on Monday that an autopsy had revealed extensive red-purple bruising across Lucena’s midface, including her eyes, nose, and jaw, with associated soft tissue swelling.

Lindy Lucena and Robert Karl Huber 2020.

Dr Cala noted the “overwhelming colour” of much of this bruising was red, indicating recent origin, possibly within several days of death. While some older bruising from December 27, 2022, was present, newer and distinct injuries were also identified at autopsy.

Evidence relating to an autopsy performed by forensic pathologist Dr Allan Cala has been aired in court.

A 1cm laceration to the right eyebrow, consistent with a “punch of moderate force to the face,” also showed evidence of bleeding.

The doctor told the court head wounds, including those on the face, are highly vascular and can result in “copious bleeding” even from small injuries.

Further evidence of head trauma included three minor subarachnoid haemorrhages in the brain.

These indicated backward and forward movement of the brain against the rigid base of the skull, consistent with “hard punches to the face”, the court heard

Lindy Lucena.

The absence of diffuse traumatic axonal injury was explained by Dr Cala, who said such injuries required “several hours” of survival to become apparent, and Lucena may have died before they could develop.

A significant neck injury was also found – bruising on the thyroid cartilage and a fracture at the base of its superior horn.

Dr Cala believed this was caused by a “blow to the front of the neck” — possibly from an object like an umbrella handle — rather than compression, given the linear skin mark.

He said this bone was substantial, requiring at least “moderate force and possibly even severe force” to fracture.

Such an injury can cause severe pain, difficulty speaking, and breathing issues.

The hyoid bone was intact, distinguishing it from typical strangulation cases.

The court heard that other factors potentially contributing to death included a “soiled airway” with blood and mucoid fluid, which would compromise normal breathing.

Positional asphyxiation, where airways are blocked by objects like a mattress, clothing, or even a person, could not be excluded as a contributing element, the court heard.

Dr Cala also stated the combination of craniofacial trauma, an acutely fractured larynx, and mild-to-moderate coronary artery narrowing could have led to cardiac arrest and death.

Bruising on Lucena’s arms and hands, particularly around the wrists and lower forearms, was “suggestive of having been caused by restraint or firm grasping”.

Rib fractures, observed at autopsy, showed no significant haemorrhage, which was “consistent with them having occurred when the deceased has already passed away or was close to death,” rather than during CPR on a living person., the court heard

While some injuries could be consistent with falls, exampled by her knee abrasion, Dr Cala maintained a fall could not explain the overall “constellation of injuries” observed.

The presence of aspirin in Lucena’s system, while a low dose, would have prolonged blood clotting time, making any blunt force trauma result in “greater bruising or more significant internal or external bleeding”.

The trial before Justice Stephen Rothman continues.

Originally published as Trial of Robert Karl Huber: Expert tells court Lindy Lucena’s facial injuries indicate ‘hard punches’ before death